The Most Festive Hotels for Christmas in New York
These lavish hotels have gone the extra mile to get you in the holiday spirit.
If you’re trying to decide on the destination for your next winter vacation, it’s hard to think of a more magical place to spend Christmas than New York City. From getting your sugarplum fix with The Nutcracker ballet show to ice skating at the Wollman rink in Central Park and marveling at the glittering 82-ft Rockefeller Christmas tree, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to celebrating the holiday season in the Big Apple. To help you plan your stay, we’ve rounded up New York’s best festive hotels that have gone above and beyond to give guests an unforgettable Christmas.
The Plaza
When it comes to decorations no expense is spared at the iconic hotel / ©The Plaza
It’s fitting that the first luxurious hotel on our list of the best hotels for spending Christmas in the Big Apple is also one of the locations behind Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Paying homage to the classic movie, The Plaza gives guests a unique opportunity to take a limousine ride around New York City visiting other famous landmarks featured in the film including the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall and Central Park (all while munching your way through an extra large cheese pizza, Kevin McCallister-style).
Of course, when it comes to decorations no expense is spared at the iconic hotel. On November 29, you can watch the annual Christmas Plaza tree lighting with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne Bar, while listening to live festive music to get you in the holiday mood. There are also plenty of opportunities for your little one to meet Santa, with meet and greets scheduled in the lobby throughout December, exclusively for hotel guests. As for dining, The Plaza boasts a mouthwatering Christmas menu featuring spiced honey glazed ham with all the trimmings and a traditional bread pudding with a generous splash of Grand Marnier liqueur.
theplazany.com
The Peninsula
The sparkling tree in the lobby is adorned with characters from the hotel’s festive children’s story /
For a truly breathtaking Christmas decoration display in New York, The Peninsula hotel (located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan) is well worth a visit. Kicking off the festivities at the end of November, guests can head up to Salon de Ning (the hotel’s chic rooftop bar on its East Terrace) for the yearly tree lighting celebration complete with cocktails, canapés and carols. And if you’re staying for New Year’s, Salon de Ning is set to host a Studio 54-inspired disco party with a live DJ, specialty cocktail bar and plenty of champagne to toast in 2023.
